The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) is actively monitoring the improvements of water availability in the East Zone concession. Manila Water has been effectively addressing the water shortage under their purview as shown in their Service Recovery Updates. Based on their latest submission as of April 11, 2019, the Percentage Availability in their concession area increased significantly to 98.15% from 71.9% at the start of the crisis last March 7. The notable increase in the Water Service Availability indicates that 98.15% of Manila Water’s consumers are being serviced 7 PSI pressure (until the first floor of houses) for at least 8 hours.
Manila Water also utilized water tankers due to the immediate need for water supply, especially in the areas that were severely affected by the water shortage. According to their Service Recovery Report last March 15, they took 266 tanker trips with a total of 156 tankers deployed. In April 9 however, they just took 177 tanker trips. The decrease in the eminent need for tankers and number of tanker trips that need to be done in order to improve the situation is an indication that the issue is being addressed. The tankers utilized for the crisis were a combination of tankers from Maynilad, NGAs, LGUs, and Manila Water.
There are still 14 critical areas, namely:
- Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal
- Brgy. Pasong Tamo, Quezon City
- Brgy. Sikatuna, Quezon City
- Sauyo, Quezon City
- Mahabang Parang, Angono
- San Roque, Antipolo City
- Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong
- Kasiglahan 1A, Rodriguez, Rizal
- Kasiglahan 1C, Rodriguez, Rizal
- Kasiglahan 1K2, Rodriguez, Rizal
- Joville, Rodriguez, Rizal
- Suburban Ph 8, Rodriguez Rizal
- Southville Phase 8, Rodriguez Rizal
- Eastwood Residences Ph. 7, Rodriguez Rizal
Under our supervision and critical monitoring, Manila Water also implemented stop gap measures in order to address the supply deficit. One of them is through new deep wells wherein they were able to increase the supply by 31.66 MLD. Another is through cross-border flows wherein the following supply was realized: Bulacan/West Ave at 0.31 MLD, Aurora Blvd. at 10.0 MLD, Greenville at 0.63 MLD, and Kimco at 1.2 MLD. The total of the aforementioned cross-border flows is 12.14 MLD. They also operationalized the Cardona Water Treatment Plant which increased the supply by 32.75 MLD. For April 9, the deficit, through these supply augmentation programs has been brought down to 73.45 MLD, with the total additional supply being at 76.55 MLD.
The MWSS RO would like to assure the public that we will continue to monitor the situation until regular services are restored to our customers and stakeholders.